Draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting halocarbon destruction projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits

Public consultation from August 23 to October 6, 2023

Québec’s cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances (C&T system) includes an offset credit component under which promoters can carry out projects on a voluntary basis. These are projects that either reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sectors or sources that the C&T system’s compliance obligations does not cover, or remove GHGs from the atmosphere.

The Regulation respecting halocarbon destruction projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits provides a framework for projects destroying certain halocarbons used as refrigerants or contained in insulating foam in refrigeration, freezer or air-conditioning systems or equipment. This regulation establishes all the requirements for eligible project types, in particular as concerns their eligibility and monitoring, as well as the conditions governing the quantification, reporting and verification of GHG reductions.

Given the changes in current practices, it was determined that the destruction of halocarbons used as refrigerants is no longer considered additional.

The draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting halocarbon destruction projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits (PDF, 424 KB) provides for the removal of activities involving the destruction of halocarbons used as refrigerants. From now on, only projects involving the destruction of halocarbons in foams will be eligible for offset credits.

The draft regulation also provides for changes concerning the locations considered as project sites and for which information must be provided. In addition, it proposes a reduction in visit frequency to destruction facility sites for verification purposes. These amendments will reduce project costs while maintaining the same level of diligence and environmental integrity.

The draft regulation is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec for a 45-day public consultation period from August 23 to October 6, 2023.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting:

Mourad Ziani, Coordinator
Offset Credits Team
Direction du marché du carbone
Direction générale de la réglementation carbone et des données d’émission
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
mourad.ziani@environnement,gouv.qc.ca

Those wishing to provide input on the proposed draft regulation are asked to submit their comments in writing by October 6 11:59 p.m., to:

M. Nicolas Garceau, Deputy Director
Direction adjointe des opérations du marché
Direction du marché du carbone
Direction générale de la réglementation carbone et des données d’émission
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
Édifice Marie-Guyart, 5^th Floor, Box 30
675, boulevard René-Lévesque Est
Québec (Québec) G1R 5V7
nicolas.garceau@environnement.gouv.qc.ca